Apogee Symphony Mobile User manual

Symphony Desktop
User’s Guide v1.0, August 2020
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Contents
Contents 2
Overview 5
Introduction 5
Features 5
Flagship Apogee Audio Quality 5
Apogee Alloy Mic Preamp Emulation 5
On-board Hardware DSP 5
Immersive Touchscreen 5
Apple Logic Pro Integration 6
Included Plugins 6
Navigating This User’s Guide 7
In the Box 8
System Requirements 8
Register your product 8
Symphony Desktop Panel Tour 9
Getting Started 10
Installing Symphony Desktop Software 10
MacOS 10
Windows 10 10
Connecting Symphony Desktop 11
AC Power 11
Connecting to a Mac or Windows computer 11
Connecting to an iPad Pro (USB-C) 11
Connecting to an iOS Device 11
Check Symphony Desktop Firmware 12
Configure OS to use Symphony Desktop for Audio I/O 12
macOS 12
Windows 10 12
Apple iOS 12
Configure Your DAW to use Symphony Desktop for Audio I/O 13
Connecting Your Studio 14
Standalone Operation 16
OLED Touchscreen 17
Home Screen 17
Navigating the Touchscreen Interface 17
Input 1-2 Overview 18
Input 1-2 Settings 18
Output Overview 19
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Output Settings 19
Headphone Output 1-2 Overview 20
Headphone Output 1-2 Settings 20
System Settings 1 21
System Settings 2 21
Symphony Desktop Control Software 22
Primary Window 22
Tool Bar 22
System Sidebar 23
Channel Section 24
General Settings 24
Analog IN Channels 1-2 24
Optical IN Channels 25
Playback Channels 25
Optical Output Channels 25
Mixer Section 26
Monitor/Output Section 27
Menu Bar Menus 28
Symphony Desktop Control Menu 28
File Menu 28
View Menu 28
Window Menu 29
Help Menu 29
Choose Your Symphony Desktop Workflows 30
Important Workflow Concepts 30
Monitoring Workflows 31
Software Monitoring 31
Direct Monitoring 32
Plugin Processing Workflows 32
Using the Apogee FX Rack 33
Apogee Alloy Mic Preamp Emulation 34
Print FX 35
Monitor FX & DualPath Monitoring 36
Monitor FX & Software Monitoring 37
Additional Workflows 38
Mix Inputs Before Recording 38
Configuring Your DAW 38
Apple Logic Pro 38
Avid Pro Tools 38
Ableton Live 39
Troubleshooting 39
Specifications 41
Warranty Information and Legal Notices 43
Declarations of Conformity 43
Software Monitoring Signal Flow (All Channels) 44
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Direct Monitoring Signal Flow 46
Recording with the Symphony Desktop Control Mixer 46
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Overview
Introduction
Apogee’s Element 24, 46 and 88 are Thunderbolt audio I/O boxes for Mac. The Element Series takes the best
of cutting-edge Apogee gear like Symphony I/O Mk II, Ensemble Thunderbolt and Groove and puts it into
simple form factors. With streamlined hardware features and advanced software control, the Element series
delivers ultimate recording quality and performance at unprecedented prices.
Features
Flagship Apogee Audio Quality
Legendary Apogee A/D & D/A Conversion
Advanced Stepped Gain mic preamps
FET-based Front Panel Guitar Input
Zero-ohm
With Symphony Desktop, Apogee introduces a brand new headphone output technology - Zero Ohm xx
With the incredibly wide variety of headphones and earbuds available today, it’s quite a challenge to design a
headphone output that drives every model to its full potential while maintaining low distortion and an even
frequency response.
Apogee’s Zero-Ohm headphone driver and dual headphone outputs offer the ideal solution:
● Ultra-low output impedance ensures proper damping for any headphone or earbud, for the lowest
distortion and a flat frequency response.
● Front panel ¼” connector offers maximum power to drive the most demanding high impedance
headphones, louder than you should ever need. When connecting lower impedance headphones and
earbuds, take caution not to over drive the output level.
● Rear panel ⅛” connector offers a power range adapted to lower impedance headphones and earbuds,
for lower noise. When connecting higher impedance headphones (>100 ohm), the maximum output
level will be less than when connecting to the front panel.
Apogee Alloy Mic Preamp Emulation
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On-board Hardware DSP
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Immersive Touchscreen
Dfdf
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Apple Logic Pro Integration
Included Plugins
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Navigating This User’s Guide
A computer-based audio recording and mixing system based around the Symphony Desktop includes the
following components:
● Symphony Desktop Hardware Interface
● Symphony Desktop Control software application
● Apogee FX Rack plus Apogee plugins
● Mac or Windows computer
● Digital audio workstation (DAW) software application
● Microphones and Instruments for recording
● Speakers and headphones for listening
This User’s Guide will take you through the following steps to integrate the components of your system into a
powerful and efficient audio production environment.
● Download and install the Symphony Desktop Control application (and driver if required) on your
computer (page xx).
● Connect Symphony Desktop to AC power (required) and to your computer via USB (page xx).
● Check Symphony Desktop firmware and update if necessary (page xx).
● Configure your computer’s operating system (OS) to use Symphony Desktop for audio input and output
(page xx).
● Configure your DAW to use Symphony Desktop for audio input and output (page xx).
● Connect microphones, instruments, headphones, speakers and other audio hardware to Symphony
Desktop (page xx).
● Use Symphony Desktop’s top panel OLED touchscreen to navigate Input, Output and most System
settings (page xx).
● Use Symphony Desktop Control software to navigate all settings, including direct monitor mixing and
Apogee FX Rack (page xx).
● Choose a Monitoring workflow and configure your DAW and Symphony Desktop (page xx).
● Set up Plugin Processing workflows according to your preference (page xx).
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
In the Box
● Symphony Desktop
● Universal Power Supply with US (North America), UK, EU and SAA AC connector.
● 2 meter USB-C to USB-C & USB-C to USB-A cables
● Quick Start Guide
● Warranty Booklet
System Requirements
● Mac OS X 10.13 or greater
● Windows 10 Anniversary update or later
● iOS 13 or greater
● Mac & Windows: 4GB minimum RAM, 8GB Recommended
Register your Product
● Access Apogee’s expert Technical Support for free
● Receive important product update information by email
● Take the Customer Satisfaction Survey for a chance to win Apogee gear!
Register Now: www.apogeedigital.com/support/register
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Symphony Desktop Panel Tour
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Getting Started
Installing Symphony Desktop Software
The complete functionality of Symphony Desktop is accessed through the Symphony Desktop Control software
application, available for macOS and Windows 10 systems here:
www.apogeedigital.com/support/xx
MacOS
The download comes in the form of a .dmg file. Open it to view the contents. Inside you will find three items:
● Xx
● Xx
● xx
Double-click to launch the xx.pkg. A dialog box will appear with a series of steps to proceed. Follow the
prompts to complete the installation. You will be required to restart your computer.
As a result of the software install:
● Element Control software is placed in the Mac’s Applications folder
● When connected, the Element Thunderbolt interface appears as an audio input/output device in Mac
System Preferences > Sound
●Element Firmware Updater.app is placed in the Mac’s Applications > Utilities folder.
Windows 10
The download comes in the form of a .dmg file. Open it to view the contents. Inside you will find three items:
● Xx
● Xx
● xx
Double-click to launch the xx.pkg. A dialog box will appear with a series of steps to proceed. Follow the
prompts to complete the installation. You will be required to restart your computer.
As a result of the software install:
● Element Control software is placed in the Mac’s Applications folder
● When connected, the Element Thunderbolt interface appears as an audio input/output device in Mac
System Preferences > Sound
●Element Firmware Updater.app is placed in the Mac’s Applications > Utilities folder.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Connecting Symphony Desktop
AC Power
1. Using the supplied Universal power supply, connect Symphony Desktop
to your AC (wall) outlet.
a. For NEMA AC outlets (North America), flip down the two connector
blades and carefully insert into the outlet.
b. For UK, EU or SAA AC outlets, slide the appropriate adaptor down
over the closed connector blades.
2. Symphony Desktop’s DC power connection uses a locking mechanism to
ensure the connection isn’t pulled out inadvertently. To connect DC
power, line up the locking “wings” on the power supply’s barrel connector
with the locking slots on the receptacle, insert the connecter, then rotate it
clockwise until it stops. To remove the connector, rotate it
counterclockwise until it stops, then pull straight out.
3. Power up Symphony Desktop by tapping the top panel Control knob
Connecting to a Mac or Windows computer
When connecting to your Mac, PC or iOS device, be sure to use Symphony
Desktop’s USB icon xx port, not the USB Host port.
Using one of the supplied cables (USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to USB-A),
connect Desktop’s icon USB-C port to a USB port on your Mac or Windows
computer.
Connecting to an iPad Pro (USB-C)
Using the supplied USB-C to USB-C, connect Desktop’s icon USB-C port to
the iPad Pro’s USB-C connector.
Connecting to an iOS Device
Using one of the supplied cables (USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to USB-A),
connect Desktop’s icon USB-C port to an Apple Camera Connection Kit. The
Camera kit’s Lightning connector is then connected to your iOS device.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Check Symphony Desktop Firmware
Sd
Configure OS to use Symphony Desktop for Audio I/O
macOS
To choose Symphony Desktop as the audio interface for Mac applications that
don’t have specific audio hardware preferences, such as Safari, Spotify, Voice
Memos and others:
1. Open System Preferences by choosing Apple menu > System
Preferences;
2. Click the Sound icon to open the Sound preferences panel;
3. Click the Output tab, then click on Symphony Desktop in the devices
list;
4. Click the Input tab, then click on Symphony Desktop in the devices
list.
Windows 10
To choose Symphony Desktop as the audio interface for Windows
applications that don’t have specific audio hardware preferences, such as
Safari, Spotify, and others:
1. Type Sound in the Windows search bar to open the Sound Control
Panel.
2. Click the Playback tab, then select Symphony Desktop;
3. Click Properties, then click the Advanced tab
Apple iOS
Apple iOS automatically chooses the most recently connected audio interface as the audio I/O device for all
applications. Simply connect Symphony Desktop to your iOS device’s Lightning or USB-C port as described on
page xx.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Connecting Your Studio
A wide range of devices, including dynamic & condenser microphones, electric instruments, speakers,
headphones, and digital I/O expanders may be connected to Symphony Desktop.
1. Connect microphones and line level audio gear to the rear panel XLR inputs.
● Connect dynamic and condenser mics to XLR inputs, then set Analog Level to Mic from the
touchscreen (p.xx) or Symphony Desktop Control (p.xx). When using condenser mics, be sure to
engage 48v phantom power.
● Connect analog audio gear line outputs to the XLR inputs using the appropriate adaptor if required. Set
Analog Level to +4 dBu for professional sources, set to -10dBV for consumer grade sources.
2. Connect synthesizers and keyboards to the rear panel ¼” inputs 1 & 2, then set Analog Level to Instrument
from the touchscreen (p.xx) or Symphony Desktop Control (p.xx).
3. Connect Main outputs 1-2 directly to active speakers. If your speakers are equipped with XLR inputs, use a
¼” TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) to XLR male adaptor cable. If using passive speakers, connect the Main outputs to
the speaker’s amplifier inputs.
4. Connect consumer headphones, earbuds and dual armature headphones (with comparatively low
impedance and higher sensitivity) to the rear panel ⅛” headphone output. See xx to learn the difference
between front panel and rear panel headphone outputs.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
5. Connect to your Mac, Windows or iOS device to the USB icon xx port.
6. Connect electric guitars and basses to the front panel ¼” input. Once the ¼” connector is inserted, Input 2
Analog Level automatically toggles to Instrument.
7. Connect professional headphones (with a comparatively higher impedance and lower sensitivity) to the front
panel ¼” headphone output. See xx to learn the difference between front panel and rear panel headphone
outputs.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
8. Connect audio gear equipped with optical outputs only (such as mic preamp expanders, CD players, and
other hi-fi devices) to the rear panel Optical input. Thanks to transparent sample rate conversion on the
optical input, there’s no need to clock one device to the other - both may remain set to Internal clock.
● Set Symphony Desktop Optical format to match that of the connected device from the touchscreen
(p.xx) or Symphony Desktop Control (p.xx).
9. For bi-directional streaming of digital audio between Symphony Desktop and Symphony IO MkII,
interconnect Optical I/O between each interface.
● Set Symphony Desktop and Symphony I/O MkiI Optical format to ADAT or SMUX (depending on
sample rate).
● Set Symphony I/O MkII Clock source to Optical.
Standalone Operation
Symphony Desktop may be used standalone (i.e not connected to a computer) with any digital audio device
equipped with S/PDIF or ADAT/SMUX optical I/O.
To configure for standalone operation, Symphony Desktop must initially be connected to a Mac or Windows
computer and the following settings made.
● Connect Symphony Desktop Optical output to the devices’s Optical in; connect the device’s Optical out to
Desktop’s Optical in (as shown in figure 9).
● Set Optical outputs 1-2 Routing to HW Inputs > Analog Inputs 1-2
● Set the Main, HP1, and HP2 outputs to Direct HW Inputs > Optical In 1-2
● Once settings are made, the computer isn’t necessary and may be disconnected.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
OLED Touchscreen
OLED Touchscreen intro
Home Screen
The Home screen offers a general overview of Symphony Desktop, including meters for all inputs & outputs,
sample rate indicator, and connection status.
Five I/O buttons at the bottom of the touchscreen display
level settings for Symphony Desktop’s analog inputs and
outputs.. The orange focus ring encircling a button indicates
the top panel Control knob is assigned to that button and may
be used to modify the level setting. To modify a different level
setting, tap the desired button to re-assign the Control knob.
In the top righthand corner, the interface sample rate
and USB Connection Status icon are displayed. When
the icon is blue, the interface is properly connected and
streaming audio. If the icon is orange, check the USB
connection to your computer.
Navigating the Touchscreen Interface
Each analog input & output has two additional screens, Overview and Settings, accessed by tapping the I/O button
repeatedly or swiping horizontally to toggle between the Overview, Settings and Home screens.
Home Screen Input 1 Overview Input 1 Settings
● Tap the Meters icon to return to the Home screen from any other screen.
● Tap the gear icon to access System Settings views.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Input 1-2 Overview
1. Input Gain - Tap to set the gain of the preamp,
when Analog Level is set to Mic or Instrument. Gain
Control is hidden when Analog Level is set to
+4dBu or -10 dBV line input.
2. Digital meter - displays the digital level after A/D
conversion
3. Impedance - (NV-1066 emulation only) Set the
impedance of the mic preamp input.
4. Pad (NV-1066, AX-601 only) - insert a -20 dB pad
5. Output level (NV-1066, AX-601 only) - Tap to set
the output level of the mic preamp stage.
6. Gain link (GL) - link the Input gain to the Output
level so increasing the Input gain reduces the Output level to maintain a consistent signal level. This is
useful when driving the mic preamp emulation into distortion.
Input 1-2 Settings
1. Analog Level - choose the analog reference level
for Analog inputs 1-2.
● Choose Mic when connecting microphones or
direct boxes to the XLR input.
● Choose Inst when connecting a guitar or
keyboard, or any high impedance (Hi-Z)
instrument to the 1/4” input (balanced TRS or
unbalanced TS).
● Choose +4dBu when connecting “pro” gear
with a nominal +4 dBu output level (such as an
external mic pre, compressor, or EQ) to the
XLR input.
● Choose -10dBV when connecting “semi-pro”, hi-fi, or musical instrument gear with a nominal -10dBV
dBu output level to the XLR input.
2. Preamp - select the mic preamp emulation:
● SD-MP -xx
● NV-1066 - based on a vintage 1066 mic preamp section;
● AX-601 -
3. Monitor FX Rack On/Off & Preset Select - Enable Apogee FX Rack processing in the Monitor path (through
the Control app direct monitoring mixer), and select a Rack preset.
4. Print FX Rack On/Off & Preset Select - Enable Apogee FX Rack processing in the Record path (to audio
software) and select a Rack preset.
5. 48V - enable 48 volt phantom power on each analog input when Analog Level is set to Mic. Condenser mics require 48
volt phantom power to operate.
6. Group - Link the Input Gain of each analog input. Any level offsets that exists before inputs are grouped will be
preserved after a group is chosen.
7. Soft Limit - engage Soft Limit on each analog input. xx begins to attenuate transient peaks at a threshold of -4dBfs.
8. Polarity Invert - invert the polarity of the analog input signal.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Output Overview
1. Level - set the level of Main outputs 1-2;
2. Source Meter - displays the digital level of the Main
output source, before D/A conversion;
3. Mute - mute the Main output.
4. Dim - dim (reduce) the Main output by 15 dB;
5. Sum to Mono - sum to mono the Main output;
listening to your mix in mono can reveal potential
phase cancellation and frequency masking issues.
Output Settings
1. Assignment - choose the signal source for Main
outputs 1-2;
● SW Playback - route the selected stereo
Playback signal from audio software to the
Main output.
● Direct Mixers - route the stereo signal from the
selected mixer to the Main output.
● HW:Inputs - route the selected mono or stereo
signal from the selected hardware input(s) to
the Main output.
2. Main Out Format - set the Main output format;
● Speakers - use the Control knob or software
volume controls to modify the Main output level.
● Line - the Main output level is fixed at the selected reference level.
3. Main Out Level - set the Main output reference level:
● +4dBu - set the reference level to +4 dBu when connecting to professional gear;
● -10 dBV - set the reference level to -10 dBV when connecting to consumer gear.
4. Mute - mute the Main outputs 1-2.
5. Dim - dim (reduce) the Main outputs 1-2 by 15 dB.
6. Sum to Mono - sum to mono the Main outputs.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
Headphone Output 1-2 Overview
1. Level - displays the level of the headphone
output;
● HP1 = front panel output;
● HP2 = rear panel output.
2. Source Meter - displays the digital level of
the HP output source, before D/A
conversion;
3. Mute - mute the HP output.
4. Dim - dim (reduce) the HP output by 15 dB;
5. Sum to Mono - sum to mono the HP output;
listening to your mix in mono can reveal
potential phase cancellation and frequency
masking issues.
Headphone Output 1-2 Settings
1. Assignment - choose the signal source for
the headphone output;
● SW Playback - route the selected
stereo Playback signal from audio
software to the HP output.
● Direct Mixers - route the stereo signal
from the selected mixer to the HP
output.
● HW:Inputs - route the selected mono or
stereo signal from the selected
hardware input(s) to the HP output.
2. Mute - mute the HP output.
3. Dim - dim (reduce) the HP output by 15 dB;
4. Sum to Mono - sum to mono the HP output.
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Apogee Symphony Desktop  User’s Guide
System Settings 1
1. Optical Meters - tap to show or hide Optical
I/O level meters on the Home View.
2. Meters - tap to set the Hold time for level
meter peak and over indicators.
3. Optical Format - tap to set the Optical I/O
digital format:
● S/DIF - 2 channel format at sample
rates of 44.1-96kHz
● ADAT - 8 channel format at sample
rates of 44.1-48 kHz
● SMUX - 4 channel format at sample
rates of 88.2-96kHz.
4. Controller - set the behavior of the top
panel Control knob when tapped:
● None - nothing happens when tapping the Control knob;
● Mute All Outs - mutes the Main, HP1 and HP2 outputs;
● Mute Speakers - mutes
● Mute HP1
● Mute HP2
● Toggle Mute HP/Speaker
● Toggle I/O Selections
5. Swipe - enable/disable the touchscreen Swipe functionality.
System Settings 2
1. Sleep Timer - Set a time to put the
touchscreen to sleep if it hasn’t been
touched.
2. Display Brightness - set the brightness of
the touchscreen.
3. Sample Rate - Set Symphony Desktop’s
sample rate. In some cases this setting
may be overridden by software running on
the computer (e.g when a DAW session
project is open).
4. Firmware - Check and update Symphony
Desktop firmware.
5. Reset - Reset Symphony Desktop to its
factory default state.
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